Plan to save

Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?

The most common definition of Sustainable Development is ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. Essentially this means living within our means now and planning for the planet’s future needs.

In the last 20 years the human race has placed huge stress on the planet’s natural resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air (e.g. the felling of rainforests, over fishing and the production of greenhouse gases).

Sustainable Development is about developing policies and plans at all levels (from the individual to the international company) which recognise the need for harmony between the environment, society and the economy.

In 1992 world leaders met at the Earth Summit to build a framework of policies aimed at reducing climate change through Sustainable Development. Since then a wide range of groups - from local governments and international organisations to small local businesses - have followed suit and agreed to adopt policies aimed at reducing mankind’s collective ‘carbon footprint’ on the Earth.

Businesses today need to consider not just profits but also the environment and the society in which they operate. Your business and its everyday actions do make a difference.

Triple Bottom Line

What is Triple Bottom Line reporting?

Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting is an alternative way of measuring and reporting a company’s corporate performance. It takes into account not just a company’s economic performance but also the environmental and social values added or destroyed by its business operations.

To report a healthy TBL a company needs to consider the needs of the wider community and environment as well as its shareholders and customers.  In the new millennium TBL reporting has become a major focus for businesses all over the world.